by Amanda Powers

April 22, 2013 is the 43rd annual Earth Day, which began in 1970 when 20 million Americans demonstrated coast-to-coast for a sustainable environment. This year, more than one billion people across the globe will participate in the movement for a clean environment.

This year’s theme, The Face of Climate Change, highlights the impacts of climate change on people, animals, and places and focuses on sustainable solutions.

We encourage you to celebrate Earth Day. You can participate by going on a hike or picnic, attending an Earth Day event, or participating in a local beach or creek cleanup event. Here are a few ideas for folks in New York City, Denver, and San Diego where Great Ecology staff will be participating in the following local festivities…

Earth Day New York

Saturday, April 20 through Monday, April 22: NYC’s Earth Day celebrations span three days and are free for all to enjoy. Start inside Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall where you’ll find live performances, kids’ activities, sustainability talks, and interactive displays by organizations dedicated to protecting and preserving the environment. Once you’ve had your fill, head over to Union Square where you can check out live performances and the much-anticipated green-vehicle runway and exhibition.

Denver’s 2013 Earth Day Fair

Monday, April 22, 10 am to 2 pm: For our friends in Colorado, the Denver City and County Building Plaza is hosting the first zero waste, solar powered event. This free event showcases local businesses, organizations, and agencies that practice or provide environmentally friendly and sustainable services and products. Don’t miss the exhibit of near zero emissions vehicles.

San Diego EarthFair

Saturday, April 20, 10 am to 5 pm: San Diegans, head over to Balboa Park to find the largest free annual environmental fair in the world. The event features live entertainment by contemporary and folk musicians; more than 350 exhibitors, including wildlife preservations groups, ecotourism opportunities, and products made from natural and organically grown crops; and alternative energy vehicles.  There is a kid’s exhibit with earth friendly activities to entertain and inspire; an eHome exhibit showcasing products and technologies to make your home environmentally sustainable; an eARTh Gallery featuring artworks using recycled materials or depicting Endangered Spaces in San Diego; a Food Pavilion with vegetarian cuisine; a Children’s Earth Parade; and a Cleaner Car Concourse featuring vehicles that run on alternative fuels.

If you can’t make it to the San Diego EarthFair make sure to join the Creek to Bay Cleanup on April 27 and find a location near you.

We hope you join the global Earth Day movement for sustainable living, and remember every person who does his or her part to fix the problem is a Face of Climate Change.